The Federal Government announced earlier this week that it will trial a new Apprentice Wage Subsidy program in a bid to reduce youth unemployment levels across regional Australia.

The program aims to address current and future skills shortages across the trades sector by incentivising employers in regional areas to take on apprentices in their business. Under the trial, employers who sign-up and commence a new apprentice from 1 January 2019 will be eligible for subsidies for the apprentice’s first three years.

“This trial is really exciting news for young job seekers and businesses across regional Australia,” says Apprenticeship Support Australia General Manager, Peter Gilchrist.

“Youth unemployment levels are much greater in these areas than in the general population, and this program will be instrumental in creating meaningful job opportunities for young people that will help to skill our regional workforce for the future.”

“Apprenticeships, and vocational education more broadly, often provide graduates with better employment outcomes than other post-school pathways, and it’s really encouraging to see the Government recognise the value that apprenticeships can provide to aspiring young job seekers.”
The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy trial will support 1,630 sign-ups, based on a rural and regional distribution per State or Territory.

In order to be eligible, employers must undertake an apprentice in a full-time Certificate III or Certificate IV course that leads to an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List, and meet all other eligibility requirements under the Australia Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

If eligible, employers will be subsidised 75 percent of the first year award wage for the new apprentice, 50 percent for the second year, and 25 per cent for the third.

Chambers Apprenticeship Support Australia Pty Limited, trading as Apprenticeship Support Australia is contracted by the Australian Government as represented by the Department of Education and Training to provide Australian Apprenticeships Support Network services to employers and Australian Apprentices. Apprenticeships Support Australia is one of a number of Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers in Australia. This website does not represent the Australian Government. If you wish to access information about Australian Apprenticeships from the Australian Government, you should access their website.